Bonaire is a beautiful destination for your next vacation
Credit: www.diviresorts.com
The Caribbean islands are fantastic, and that’s why everyone wants to go there. It’s always sunny, and the weather is good all year round. There are plenty of options to choose from, but the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) are definitely a good start to discover the region. Bonaire’s all-inclusive resorts are yet to develop, but on a less than 30 thousand inhabitant island, you can’t expect much. Well, for now, there are two all-inclusive resorts in Bonaire, but I can tell you what: one is better than the other. At least subjectively. And you might come to a different conclusion than I did.
Bonaire technically belongs to the Netherlands, which is why, next to the local Papiamentu language, everyone speaks Dutch. But you will be surprised that the local currency is the US dollar. Such a mix, right? So, don’t be surprised when I list all-inclusive Bonaire vacation packages priced in USD.
The main activity on the island is diving. But beware that you have to pay not only for the equipment or a diving course, but also $40 nature fee. Even when you go snorkelling. So, buckle up and do both. All the bright cool fish won’t look at itself. By the way, you will also have to pay $75 island’s entry fee. But hey, it’s not as bad as Bhutan with $40 entry fee and $100 per day Sustainable Development Fee.
Fun fact: all the drinking water on Bonaire is purified seawater. But let’s see what Bonaire all-inclusive resorts I’ve got for you!
1. Van der Valk Plaza Beach & Dive Resort Bonaire
In 1995, a wealthy Dutch family, the Van der Valks, decided to add another property to their hotel portfolio. For over 30 years, they’ve had this hotel on a lovely Bonaire island, and from what it looks like, they are doing pretty well with it. While the company is well known in the Netherlands, it’s not that common to hear its name elsewhere. But it doesn’t mean you won’t want to hear it again.
Overview of the hotel
Credit: www.plazaresortbonaire.com
What’s so special about this particular hotel? Probably the fact that it has its own diving school, Toucan Diving. Moreover, it has a 5-star PADI rating, which is the highest a school can get. From what I read on Reddit, though, it doesn’t really certify high quality per se, but I checked the reviews of the school myself, and it looks like a pretty solid place. In any case, this resort is the place you want to visit in case you have plans on diving.
This is a medium-sized hotel, so guests will feel the coziness it offers, but don’t expect a lot of facilities like you are used to having at bigger resorts. As per usual, prices vary significantly based on the time of the year you are visiting. Good advice would be to:
- book over 6 months in advance and get a 40% early bird discount;
- check the official site for special deals, like Black Friday, Last Minute, or seasonal promotions.
In any case, be ready to pay $250-300 per person per night unless you follow my previous advice. Big holidays like Christmas or NYE will be way more expensive.
Aerial view of the resort
Credit: www.plazaresortbonaire.com
Accommodation
The hotel is undergoing a renovation in 2025-2026, so be ready for brand new rooms with better standards and modern facilities. But only the Deluxe rooms will have that luxury. And since those are the more affordable options, it’s a win-win situation for you and your wallet.
Deluxe rooms are between 38 and 42 m² (around 430 ft²), and have a garden or laguna view, double king bed, or family options to choose from. Whatever you go for, you will have everything you need for a comfortable stay. And yes, every room in this hotel has a king-size bed, air conditioner, and other bare necessities.
If you want to feel at home, you can stay at the 50 m² (around 538 ft²) Royal Residence one-bedroom apartment, which offers a separate bedroom and a kitchen. If you are just like me, confused why anyone would decide to stay at the Bonaire all-inclusive resorts and cook their own food, hear me out. Some people (including me) love cooking, and the Caribbean is well known for its delicious seafood. I don’t think I’d ever want to waste holiday time on cooking, though, even with all their delicacies. There’s also a two-bedroom option.
A bit more expensive Grand and Junior Suites, 60 m² (~645 ft²) offer laguna, ocean, or poolside views. And for those who can afford 260 m² (~2800 ft²) of happiness, go for a penthouse with ocean or laguna view. Those will cost you three times as much as the cheapest option. But hey, memento mori (or yolo)!
What To Do
As I mentioned before, the main thing to do here is to learn how to dive or to get a new PADI certification for experienced divers. The minimum age to learn diving is 5 years old, and it will cost you from $75 and up. To get your first PADI certificate, be ready to spend 1.5-3 days learning and diving, and pay $325-550 course fees. Not a bad deal.
The resort has its own diving school, Toucan Diving Bonaire
Credit: www.toucandiving.com
Other sports and activities include:
- snorkeling;
- kayaking;
- paddleboarding;
- wakeboarding and windsurfing;
- driftwood painting;
- beach games;
- aqua gym.
Live music and daily entertainment, casino, spa, wellness, and gym. That’s a pretty standard package for any all-inclusive hotel. Can’t say that Van der Valk Plaza surprises with anything here. With its own marina, they also offer catamaran and motorboat charters.
Overall, all-inclusive resorts in Bonaire are not very rich in entertainment. But that’s understandable, Bonaire is a pretty small island. At least compared to all-inclusive resorts in Punta Mita, it’s more affordable and has its Caribbean charm. Even though absolutely nothing can be compared with Naviva in Punta Mita. Nothing. I repeat, n-o-t-h-i-n-g.
You will for sure enjoy two swimming pools and a private beach
Credit: www.valkverrast.nl
Food
Before I start with my favourite part, food, I need to emphasise that it’s possible to upgrade your all-inclusive to a premium all-inclusive. That basically means that you will be getting a bit more expensive beverages instead of the standard house drinks. But hey, it costs just $35 extra per day, so don’t expect Dom Pérignon for breakfast.
In any case, if you are looking for a variety of restaurants and meals offered, you will be pretty disappointed: there’s only one restaurant at the resort. It has a lot of nice seafood and good chefs, though. From grilled steaks to sushi, you will get a fine-dining menu that is supposed to satisfy you for as long as you are staying at the hotel. Food is cooked in an open kitchen, which means you get to see how your meal is prepared and served. Moreover, once a month, a Michelin-starred chef comes to cook his new 6-course menu. But that will cost you extra.
Fresh food and an open kitchen
Credit: www.fourseasons.com
Another thing I should probably mention is that there’s only one bar. And that’s where you will be getting your morning espresso, lunch beer, and evening whiskey.
Verdict
Not a lot to choose from. If you decide to stay at this resort, be sure to get one of the early bird offers to save some money. Otherwise, it’s a pretty expensive all-inclusive for what you pay and what you get. Alternatively, you can always get a day pass to just check it out. One last thing, it is possible to get married at the resort and get one of the wedding packages. But do you want to?
2. Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino
If you thought you wouldn’t be diving in Bonaire, you are wrong! That’s basically the main entertainment of the island due to its rich marine life. Just like Van der Valk Plaza, Divi Flamingo has its own PADI 5-star diving school. But you can’t be diving the whole day and night, right? Because nights here are reserved for the resort’s casino.
Overview of the hotel
Credit: www.diviresorts.com
Good news, everyone, this resort is more affordable than the other Bonaire island all-inclusive resort. But that is also because the hotel is a bit older and shabbier overall. Be ready to pay around $150-250 per person for all-inclusive, but it’s always good to check the official site for seasonal promotions and discounts. Kids pay less at the Divi Flamingo. By the way, there are no real all-inclusive adults-only resorts in Bonaire, at least for now, but I will list a few alternatives down below.
Aerial view of the hotel
Credit: www.diviresorts.com
Accommodation
With approximately the same number of rooms as Van der Valk Plaza, this hotel is medium-sized, but I’d still categorise both of them as medium-small. But contrary to the Dutch-owned group, Divi Resorts is specialised in Caribbean vacations only, and it currently has 9 vacation properties.
Divi Flamingo has 3 types of rooms:
- Regular room with a pool or garden view. With just 300 ft² (around 28 m²), you won’t be dancing in there, especially if you decide to fill it up with 4 people.
- Deluxe room with an ocean view. Same size and maximum occupancy as the previous option, but with a better view.
- Studio Suite. 494 ft² (around 46 m²), this suite can host up to 6 people, but someone has to sleep on the sofa. Kitchenette is also available for those who want to try cooking their own delicious seafood.
Studio Suite for up to 6 people
Credit: www.diviresorts.com
What To Do
The two main activities at this resort are diving and the casino. Divi Dive Bonaire has pretty solid reviews and a 5-star PADI rating. Overall, it’s a bit cheaper than the previous option, and the prices range from around just below $100 to $845, depending on how bananas you want to go.
With three casinos on the island, Divi Flamingo has one of them. If you want to try your luck, you are free to do so, but for everyone else who wants to relax instead of stressing out, other entertainment options include:
- snorkeling;
- playing cornhole;
- yoga and zumba classes;
- gym.
Once again, on a relatively small island with just two all-inclusive resorts, you can’t expect a lot in terms of the resort’s entertainment. But oh well, you live right in the city, so go and explore it and maybe meet one of its 27 thousand locals.
Diving at the resort
Credit: www.diviresorts.com
Food
Options here are richer than at the Van der Valk Plaza. Relatively. I mean, there’s more than one eatery 🙂 Their Chibi Chibi Beachfront Bistro is open for lunch and dinner and offers everything from wraps and sandwiches to pasta, Buddha bowls, and grilled food. They also offer plant-based options, so hello vegans.
Pureocean is a buffet and a la carte restaurant that also offers themed nights with foods from specific regions. Which is a good alternative to having multiple restaurants. Well, you can’t really decide the last minute that you want to have sushi instead of pasta or BBQ, but you definitely won’t end up hungry.
The other two options are a pizzeria and a bar with some finger foods and burgers.
Buffet at the resort
Credit: www.diviresorts.com
Verdict
Overall, this option is slightly better than the other one. Your rooms won’t be freshly-renovated, of course, but you are not planning on staying indoors, are you? They also have more wedding packages in case you decide to choose Bonaire for the big day. But with a lack of entertainment at both resorts, you might want to check out the island and see what it has to offer. Unless you decide to spend most of the time diving. Which would be a good solution for an active vacation.
Bonaire Island is not the most interesting all-inclusive vacation destination, especially if you are used to staying at bigger resorts with a lot of activities and restaurants to choose from. But hey, Bonaire is a tiny Caribbean island, you can’t expect it to give the same experience as all-inclusive Nicaragua, for example. But you don’t necessarily come here to get the full all-inclusive experience, but rather to get the tiny Caribbean island experience.
For now, there are no adults-only all-inclusive options in Bonaire. But there are regular hotels, which might be an alternative if you want to stay away from kids. And you can always grab a day pass to Van der Valk if you feel the need. Here’s the list:
- Boutique Hotel Wanapa, 14+;
- Djambo Apartments Bonaire, 16+;
- Hotel Islander Bonaire, 18+;
- Casa Mantana Bonaire Guesthouse, 21+;
- Boutique Hotel Sonrisa and Belnem House Bonaire don’t specify an age limit, but typically it should mean 18+.
No matter what you choose, I hope you will enjoy your little trip to beautiful Bonaire, and don’t forget to check Fjord Away for more tips and tricks in the future 🙂
